The Effect of Perceived Authenticity on Satisfaction, Behavioural Intentions, and Expenditure

Abstract

The chapter investigates the influence of socio-demographics, travel-related variables, and perceived authenticity on attendee satisfaction, behavioural intentions, and expenditure level at a small-scale cultural event. A structured questionnaire was developed, and data was collected on-site during the “Autunno in Barbagia” event (Sardinia, Italy). Factor analysis was applied to items measuring authenticity, satisfaction, and behavioural intentions, and the resulting factor scores were entered in the OLS models. Findings show that objective and existential authenticity significantly and positively influence all the dependent variables. In addition, the three dependent variables were significantly influenced by certain travel-related variables and socio-demographic characteristics of attendees. Findings help deepen the scientific debate devoted to analysing the influence of socio-demographics, travel-related variables, and perceived authenticity on attendee behaviour at a small-scale event. Managerial implications are discussed and suggestions for further research are outlined.